NEW Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, General Benjamin C. Acorda Jr. has appealed to the Philippine media to be part of government efforts to stir investors’ and tourists’ confidence and help spur economic growth in the country, not undermine it.

“Gusto namin yung serbisyong nagkakaisa with other government agencies. We want to promote inter-agency cooperation including those from the media. Isang bansa lang tayo at dapat na magmahalan tayo. Let’s invite investors and tourists in our country,” the new top cop told his first press conference at Camp Crame.

After having his first command conference on Tuesday last week, Gen. Acorda talked with newsmen at Camp Crame to lay down his plans and programs as well as strategic guidelines to sustain the trust and confidence of the people to the police force.

“For the media, I want to be open with you to make sure that what the police is doing will be relayed to the public. I am soliciting your support para yung publiko na ang magsusumbong sa pulis,” he said.

The top cop, just like other top government officials noted that in any democratic country, the media plays a vital role in creating, molding and reflecting public opinion.

It is a fact that over the years, the media became so powerful that it soon acquired the status of “Fourth Estate,” as it was aptly described by the British politician Edmund Burke.

It also became so indispensable for the democratic functioning that Thomas Jefferson, the 3rd president of the United States, was quoted as saying “were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate for a moment to prefer the latter.”

Indeed, the Philippine media plays a very important role in enlightening and educating the people as it touches almost every aspect of public life in the country. Thus, it can aid public involvement through advocating issue and transferring knowledge, skills and technologies to the people.

It also plays an important role in awakening the people thru timely and accurate reportage of events and other issues specifically during election period including corruption and what the government has been doing to combat it.

Officials agree that the electronic and print media have indeed become the most powerful tools in shaping the perceptions of individuals and nations about every major national and international issue.

They also reflect the quality of national discourse and priorities, prompting leaders to claim that a heavy responsibility resides with those who own broadcast companies and newspapers and their commentators, columnists and reporters and a need to study them with the end in view of having a serious appraisal of the role they play in shaping up the society.

The issue in fact has triggered questions on so-called network and newspapers’ war. One main question being asked is this: Is the race for ratings, subscriptions or daily sales the primary driver or are there any other principal considerations that determine the content and direction of the Philippine press?

During his assumption speech on Monday last week, Gen. Acorda called on the media to be their partners, not foes in bringing progress to the country.

“To the media, our long-time partners, we welcome critics as our independent source of check and balance. We are allies in bringing out the truth. We need your support to inform the public of our endeavors for peace and order. We will be transparent,” he declared.

“I am soliciting the support of everyone for I cannot do it alone. I ask for your cooperation, your support and your commitment. Together we will overcome the challenges the organization is facing,” he added.

Gen. Acorda told President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos Jr. that under him, the PNP will continue to serve with dignity and professionalism. “As your humble servant, I will do my best and lead by example. Let us work together for the betterment of our country,” he said.

WILL TAP COMMAND GROUP IN CARRYING OUT PLANS

The new PNP chief vowed an unrelenting anti-criminality campaign nationwide with the support of his Command Group. “We shall be relentless in our anti-criminality campaign through intensive police visibility and sincere police presence. We will not rest until every Filipino feels safe and secure in their homes, in the streets and in their places of work,” he said.

Gen. Acorda said he has told his commanders the need for them to have a focused operation on the ground following the Philippine Development Plan 2028. He spoke while being flanked by Lieutenant General Rhodel O. Sermonia, the PNP Deputy Chief for Administration and Major Gen. Mario A. Reyes, the PNP Director for Police-Community Relations.

“We will support that thru our administrative and operational plans, making the DCA (Deputy Chief for Administration) and DCO (Deputy Chief for Operations very active on this. Pati mga Regional Directors and heads of National Support Units, we will make sure they are all properly supported on the ground,” said the erstwhile PNP Director for Intelligence.

Gen. Acorda, a member of Philippine Military Academy ‘Sambisig’ Class of 1991 who used to be a Police Regional Office 10 director in Northern Mindanao said they need to completely support their men on the ground since he knows the feeling of being a police chief before.

“We need to know their fund support, the logistical support needed by our lower units. Pati yung sa operations division, kung ano ba dapat ang sisingilin sa kanila,” he said.